𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘- TMR, Minho

018, 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞

The group trudged forward, exhaustion weighing heavily on their every step. The Scorch had tested them in every possible way, and it didn't seem ready to relent anytime soon. The sun was beating down relentlessly, and even the smallest shadow became a precious refuge. Lila was leading as usual, her sharp eyes constantly scanning for threats. Every step she took was deliberate, determined. They were nearing their destination, or at least they hoped they were.

"How much further?" Minho asked, wiping sweat from his brow.

Lila's jaw clenched. "Not sure, but we're close. I can feel it."

Brenda walked beside her, glancing ahead into the barren, cracked land. "I hope you're right. We can't take much more of this."

Suddenly, a sound echoed in the distance—a low rumble, like the sound of an engine.

Everyone froze, eyes darting around in alarm. Lila's hand instinctively moved toward her gun. Jorge, just behind Frypan, tensed up.

"That doesn't sound like Cranks," Frypan muttered, his eyes wide.

Before anyone could respond, two vehicles appeared on the horizon, speeding toward them. Dust billowed in their wake, and the tension in the group spiked.

"Get down!" Lila shouted, pushing Minho to the ground as the group dove behind the remnants of an old concrete structure.

As the vehicles skidded to a stop in front of them, a group of people jumped out. Armed, cautious, but not immediately hostile. Lila peeked over the edge of the structure, heart pounding, ready for whatever this new group had in store.

From behind the lead truck, two women stepped forward. Lila's breath caught in her throat. She'd know those faces anywhere.

"Sonya... Harriet?" Lila whispered.

The two women paused, their faces hard and unreadable at first, but then their eyes widened in shock as recognition set in.

"Lila?" Sonya called out, taking a few hesitant steps forward.

Aris, who had been silent, suddenly stood up. "Sonya! Harriet!" His voice cracked with emotion.

The group cautiously emerged from their hiding spots, still unsure if this was friend or foe. Lila didn't move at first, her heart beating rapidly. After everything, after all the loss and the struggle, here they were. Sonya and Harriet, alive.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Lila asked, her voice softer than usual, but still carrying that edge she never lost.

Sonya chuckled, shaking her head. "Shouldn't we be asking you that? We thought you were dead."

Lila shrugged, her face betraying no emotion. "Almost was, a couple of times. But you know me, I don't die that easy."

Harriet's eyes landed on Aris, and a smile tugged at her lips. "You look like shit, Aris."

Aris laughed, the sound foreign after the days of stress and survival. "You look fantastic."

Jorge, who had been leaning against the concrete, finally stood up, his eyes narrowing at the new arrivals. "Who are they, and are they going to shoot us?"

Lila rolled her eyes. "They're friends. Stand down, Jorge."

Sonya turned her attention to the rest of the group. "You're with Lila, which means you're probably alright. But you need to come with us. It's not safe out here."

"Where are you taking us?" Thomas asked, stepping up beside Lila.

"To the Right Arm," Harriet answered, crossing her arms. "You've been running, right? From WCKD? Well, we're fighting back."

Minho frowned, glancing at Lila for confirmation. "Is this for real?"

Lila nodded, though her eyes were locked on Sonya and Harriet. "They're the real deal. We've been through too much together."

Minho, still suspicious, raised an eyebrow. "Good, 'cause I'm not ready to trust anyone who just drives up on us like that."

Lila smirked, crossing her arms. "You'll survive, Minho."

Harriet motioned for the group to follow as she led them toward the trucks. "You can get the full story when we get back to the camp. Vince will explain everything."

The group moved toward the trucks, but there was a tension in the air, a quiet unease. WCKD was still out there, and this newfound alliance could crumble at any moment. But for now, they had a direction, a purpose.

As the vehicles sped across the wasteland, kicking up dust in their wake, Lila sat beside Minho in the back of the truck. He leaned close, his voice low so only she could hear.

"You trust them, right?"

Lila looked ahead, the wind whipping her hair around her face. She was quiet for a moment before nodding. "I trust them more than most people in this world."

Minho glanced over at Sonya and Harriet, who were talking quietly to Aris. "Good. 'Cause if they turn on us, I'm not sure we'd make it out alive."

Lila gave him a sidelong glance. "That's what you've got me for."

Minho chuckled, leaning back against the side of the truck. "You're one hell of a safety net, Firecracker."

Lila rolled her eyes but didn't say anything. There was no need. The tension was still there, simmering beneath the surface, but there was also something else—hope. The Right Arm might just be what they needed to finally turn the tide against WCKD. For once, they had a chance to fight back.

As the truck rumbled along, the wind and dust swirling around them, Lila couldn't help but glance back at Minho. He'd been through hell with her, and she knew there was more to come. But they were still standing. Together. For now, that was enough.

The truck bounced over another ridge, and in the distance, the sprawling camp of the Right Arm came into view. Reinforced with scavenged materials, the camp was a stark contrast to the desolation surrounding it. It looked like safety. It looked like a new beginning.

But as they rolled into the camp, Lila couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get even more complicated. Nothing was ever simple in the Scorch.